The South Philly community last week honored the life of a beloved Grays Ferry community leader.
Lillian Ray, who dedicated her life to organizing efforts to combat violence in the Grays Ferry neighborhood, passed away on Dec. 30. She was 88.
A viewing and service for Ray were held on Jan. 9 at the Triumph Baptist Church, 1648 W. Hunting Park Ave.
“Philadelphia has lost a remarkable community leader with the passing of Lillian Ray,” said City Council President Kenyatta Johnson. “She loved her Grays Ferry neighborhood and she was very active in making Grays Ferry and the entire city safer for all residents.”
Ray was a lifelong resident in the city and product of the Philadelphia public school system. She attended Alcorn Elementary School before learning at Audenried Junior High School and Edward W. Bok High School. After her local schooling, Ray received formal training from the United States Department of Treasury, the Office of Substance Abuse and Prevention in Atlanta, the Midwest Academy of Neighborhood Organizing in Rockhill, South Carolina and the School District of Philadelphia’s Student Assistance Program to help fuel her community efforts.
In the 1970s, Ray organized a group of local mothers to address the issues of gang violence in the city, focusing on the Grays Ferry neighborhood. Years later, the group incorporated its efforts under the name “Stinger Square Community Services” with Ray serving as the organization’s executive director. During her time there, she developed youth and community-based programs and services, such as an interracial sports league, computer training centers, the Stinger Square Steppers Drill Team, literacy classes, food distribution networks and senior citizen enrichment workshops.
In 1999, after serving as Assistant Deputy Mayor in the Mayor’s Office of Gun Violence and Drug Control Policy, Ray was appointed the first African American female drug czar in the city. She was responsible for identifying and coordinating city, state and federal resources for anti-drug initiatives and developed and implemented current criminal justice strategies.
Ray also helped found Grays Ferry Unified, a diverse organization whose mission was to promote and maintain peace, unity and love throughout the Grays Ferry area. Her experience with the group led to the creation of the iconic Peace Wall Mural on the 1300 block of S. 29th Street.
During her life, Ray received numerous awards and acknowledgments. Most notably, the city ceremoniously renamed 31st Street between Grays Ferry Avenue and Wharton Street to “Lillian Ray Way” to honor her lifetime of service.
“Back in 2017, it was my honor to get legislation approved by City Council ceremonially renaming South 31st Street, between Grays Ferry Avenue and Wharton Street, ‘Lillian Ray Way,’ to honor of Ms. Ray’s lifetime of service to Philadelphia,” Johnson said.
Ray also received the Senator Roxanne Jones Community Service Award, Philadelphia’s Anti-Drug Crusaders Award, the Channel 10 Spirit of Philadelphia Award and the Mayor’s Volunteer of the Year Award. She previously served on the boards of several organizations, including the Interdisciplinary Youth Fatality Task Force, the Pennsylvania Justice Fellowship Task Force and the Health Management Corporation Advisory Board.
“I have lost a friend, but she leaves a legacy as a community leader that worked tirelessly every day to make Philadelphia a better city for everyone,” Johnson said. “Rest in Power Lillian Ray.”
